Friction-clutch



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. D. GRAY.

FRIGTION GLUTGH. N0. 408,012 Patented July 30, 1889.

(No Model.) 8 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W". D. GRAY.

FRICTION CLUTCH. v No. 408,012. Patented July 80, 1889.

N. LINE XX Mimi Fries.

ATENT \VIL'LIAM D. GRAY, OF MIIAVAUKEE, ISCON SIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE EDWVARD P. ALLIS dz COMPANY, OF VISCONSIN.

FRICTION-CLUTCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 408,012, dated July 30, 1889.

Application filed April 22, 1839. Serial No. 308,179. (No model.)

To allwhom it may concern: end with a shoulder 6, formed, as shown in Be it known that I, \VILLIAM D. GRAY, of Fig. 2, by the sudden outward deviation from Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and the spiral course of the inner coil. From this State of \Visconsin, .have invented certain point the outer coil extends in acircular path 5 Improven'ients in Friction-Clutches, drc of within the Shell C. The spring is expanded which the following is a specification. by means of a wedge arranged to be moved The aim of my present invention is to proaxially between the free end of the spring vide a simple, durable, and efficient clutch, and the shoulder c. This wedge is operated for connecting. shafts and the like, which will in a manner similarto that represented in an 60 [O readily and quickly respond to the action of application filed by me on the 11th day of its operating mechanism. March, 1889, Serial No. 302,879, being adjust- To this end the invention consists, essenably mounted on an upwardly-extending arm tially, of a coiled spring having one end conf of the forked lever f. The lever has one neeted to one of the shafts to be coupled and of its ends pivoted between ears f f formed 65 1 its other end free to move, said spring aron the tubular head (1 of the spring, and has ranged to be expanded to frictionally engage its other end pivotally connected to a sliding a shell or its equivalent, keyed or otherwise collar f on the shaftB by means of a link f firmly secured to the opposing shaft, and of This collar is grooved circumferentially to remeans for expanding the spring. ceive the encircling ring f, which is connected 7o In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is -by links f to a hand-lever f supported in a side elevation of my improved clutch partly any suitable manner. in section. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the From the foregoing description it will be same on the line a; as of the preceding figure. seen that as the wedge is moved axially in- Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the wedge and adward between the free end of the spring and 75 jacent parts of the spring, portions of the the shoulder cit will act to force the end of shell being broken away. Fig. 4 is an end the spring outward, which motion will be elevation of the spring and the shell, looking transmitted through the elastic coils and will in the direction of the arrow, portions of the cause the outer coil of the spring to engage operating mechanism being removed. the inner peripheral face of the flange at all 80 Referring to the drawings, A and B reprepoints, thereby securingthe shaft carryingthe sent the shafts which it is desired to couple spring fast to the shaft carrying the shell. together. These shafts are arranged in line It will be observed that owing to its exend to end, and are provided, respectively, treme elasticity the spring will readily resume with the shell or cup C and the coiled spring its normal position out of contact with the 8 5 D. The end of the shaft B is seated in the shell as the wedge is withdrawn, and will shell to revolve freely. The springD is formed, quickly respond to the expansive force of the preferably, of cast-iron, and consists of the wedge as it is inserted, thus insuring an efseries of coils diminishing, as usual, in size as fective and simple clutch. the center is approached, where it terminates In order that the friction between the clutch o 40 in a tubular head or collar (1, through which and shell may be such as to cause the one to the shaft B passes and to which it is keyed readily partake of the mot-ion of the other and at d. The outer end of this spring is free to to prevent slippin I attach to the peripheral more to a limited extent, the purpose of surface of the outer coil. a covering g, com which will hereinafter appear. The shell 0, posed of leather, fiber, wood, or other suitable 95 fixed to the shaft A, is formed with the overmaterial. hanging flange 0, within which the spring is In order that the free end of the wedge may arranged in such manner that as the latter is be supported as itis moved inward to expand expanded its outer coil will frictionally enthe spring, I commonly provide the spring gage the inner face of the flange c. The outer with the plate c located, as shown in Fig. 2, I00 coil of the spring is provided at a point oppoat the side of the shoulder c. This plate also site to and at a short distance from its free serves as a guide for the free end of the spring.

' gage the shell.

2. The external flanged shell and the central shaft revoluble independently of said shell, in combination with the intermediate driving-spring fixed at its inner end to the shaft and provided at the outside with the shoulder opposing its end, and the wedge acting between said shoulder and end.

3. In a friction-clutch, the combination of the shell 0, the coiled expansible drivingspring with its central shaft-receiving hub 01 and ears f thereon, the lever pivoted to said ears, and the Wedge connected to the lever and acting within the spring to expand the same.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 30th day of March, 1889, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

WILLIAM D. GRAY.

\Vitnesses:

WM. BANNEN, THEODORE F. WAMBoLn. 

